Is it Time for a Change? Five Steps to a Successful Career Transition

So, you've begun to feel a bit restless in your professional
life. Maybe you feel like you've gone as far as you can go in your current
role, or perhaps another line of work has piqued your interest.

Whatever the reason, you know it's time to start planning
for a change, but you're a bit overwhelmed by the enormity of such an
undertaking. That's perfectly understandable -- human beings are creatures of
habit, and the prospect of a major change can be intimidating.

Strategic Thinking is the Key

The good news is, it's never too late to forge a new
professional path. In fact, the job search literature is chock-full of
inspiring stories of people just like you who have successfully made the switch.
As long as you approach the process strategically and allow yourself plenty of
time to complete the transition, your career change campaign is likely to end
in success.

According to Nicholas Lore, job search expert and renowned
author of The Pathfinder: How to Choose
or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success, the best
way to take the anxiety out of the transition between careers is to break the
process down into a series of action-oriented steps that are easier to
contemplate. Here are some guidelines to help you formulate your own plan of
attack.

Lay the groundwork.

Before you make the leap into career transition, spend some time analyzing
the situation. Try to get a better handle on what you want out of your career.
Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the current job market. Based on all of
these factors, is it the right time to make your move? Would the situation be
more favorable in one month? Six months? A year?

Get your paperwork in order.

Block off a few days for intensive writing and editing. First,
tackle your résumé and cover letter. Start from scratch if necessary, targeting
every word and bullet point toward your new, improved career goal. Then, move
on to some brainstorming. Make lists of easy-to-remember phrases that describe
your experience and goals, draft early versions of interview responses, and
compile the contact info of everyone and anyone in your address book who might
be able to assist you in your transition to a new career.

Do your due diligence.

Now, it’s time to don your detective cap and do some research.
Learn everything you can about the kind of position you want to apply for or
the field you're interested in breaking into. Make a list of the experience,
talents, and skills that you have and how they could translate into the new
position. What are the buzzwords you need to know to talk intelligently about
the industry? What value could you bring to the organization?

Plan your campaign.

Gather a master list of all the businesses that might have openings you'd
be interested in. Commit to researching and contacting at least 3-5
establishments in your chosen field each day, and keep up this routine until
you're hired. Continue to research and add new target companies to your list.

Incorporate what you learn along the way

As you begin the phase of telephone
and face-to-face interviews, look at each encounter as a learning opportunity.
You may not find the right role right out of the gate, especially if you are
making a major career transition. Still, it's vital that you take something
positive from each experience. If you flub a question in one interview, learn
from it -- you're likely to be asked something similar in your next sit-down!
As your knowledge and familiarity with the industry and employers' expectations
gradually accumulate, you'll begin to feel more comfortable and confident.
Before long, it's likely that you'll find yourself in the kind of job you've
dreamed of.